NorfolkNog

Never used an electric post in my life. I'd guess at the Yacht station they will be switched off as its officially closed (and yes JM, no mooring fee! ) but the ones at Ranworth, Horning etc are all on if you feel the need to 'plug in' all though I very much doubt if they are free!

all a bit tongue in cheek, but yes you are right Alan. Mind you we've bunked over the wall a few times at Great Yarmouth if we've needed something from the shops. I just all 'elf and safety I suspect!

Ooops, good thinking Grace - much as I would love to see you on the rivers I forgot to mention that Breydon is chained off in winter, all the pubs are closed, boats break down with monotonous regularity, Ranworth and Horning are coned off, oh and I didn't mention the pack ice and polar bears...............

We'll get Grace to have a word with your Missus! Tales of cold are somewhat exaggerated, it's often warmer at this time of year than in March and April. We do December and February every year, no problem!

A cushion signed by Pru and Tim is being auctioned on EBay Proceeds to the MOB - all in an excellent cause! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cushion-signed-byTimothy-West-and-Prunella-Scales-on-Great-Canal-Journeys-/152764710897

Nice one! I must say hats off to the BBC for such good service. It will be cheaper than NBD that's for sure! I know apartments have been suggested, which are fine, but from personal experience I can honestly say you cant beat being afloat. Just keep an eye on the forecast if mooring overnight at Ranworth or Womack in particular. Water isn't an issue either. Its needs quite a sustained frost for the hoses to freeze although they can do. Water is on all year at Ranworth and one of the best bets is Horning Marina Services. The latter are not a hire yard and a small gratuity is always well received particularly in winter. Ludham Bridge will usually sort you out with water. Also available at Moonfleet and Sutton Staithe Boatyard among other places. And presumably BBC of course. It shouldn't be a problem over 4 days. I'm also pleased to see that Brooms have seen the light too! I did enquire there a year or 2 back and was told quite categorically that they do not hire in winter so they must have had a change of heart. Winter cruising is catching on!

Photos emailed as requested JA Just like to say many, many thanks for all the likes for my humble efforts, I'm very touched, congratulations to Brian and all the other finalists but they were all cracking photos. I feel I was very lucky really having the opportunity to take photos in winter when you can get some stunning views. Looking forward to the finished result!

Yep, BB will offer a free dayboat and hamper, tree etc all thrown in. http://www.barnesbrinkcraft.co.uk/christmas-new-year-2017/ Worth thinking about. You would be slightly limited for range with the day boat as it doesn't get light for navigation until nearly 8 and starts to get dark at 3.30 ish its got to be quite cold for the main river to freeze at Wroxham although the side dykes will freeze over much more easily.

I would doubt a small company like BBC would hire over Christmas, they may for the rest of December. You could always ask. Problem, as I mentioned earlier, is breakdown cover, a big company like Faircraft Loynes can probably cope with this better than the smaller yards. Having said that I hired from Swancraft in December for many years and only had a couple of very minor issues (not weather related). Griff is quite right, ice is a no-no for any boat. However the weather in December has been remarkably mild in recent years, I can only recall 2010 where there was more widespread freezing. It tends to be colder in January and February. If you do get problems with ice it tends to be off the main rivers, Griff has mentioned Stalham, there is also Ranworth, Womack, Lime Kiln dyke, Salhouse Broad, Sutton etc. But the main rivers don't tend to freeze and the only place on the Southern Broads where care is needed is Loddon, otherwise the tidal flow tends to overcome freezing. Ranworth is one of the main ones to watch. Its a popular spot and freezes over very quickly if the temperature drops. You just need to keep an eye on the forecast if you are thinking of mooring overnight. As I mentioned earlier I've been doing December for the last 11 years, often right up to Christmas and can honestly say I've not had any seasonal related issues whatsoever. I wouldn't recommend a total novice to do it however. In fact one of the hairiest experiences I've had was crossing Breydon in June!!! Go on, crack the piggy bank and ring NBD. You'll have the holiday to remember! (for all the right reasons of course)!

Herbert Woods will also rent their lodges over Christmas But.......... Many moons ago we hired a Faircraft Loynes apartment in December. Spent just about every day on a Fineway day boat. The following year we hired a cruiser and have never looked back since. At the end of the day you cannot beat being afloat

Another option, good idea

Of course Royalls were the original Christmas specialists. They had quite a good core of regulars who went with them over Christmas and obviously thoroughly enjoyed. However I think the severe winter of 2010 put paid to that and Royalls got cold feet, literally, and stopped doing it. Academic now as Barnes have bought them out. You can see the yards viewpoint of Christmas hire in that they would have to pay someone to be on call in case of a breakdown. We always hire in December but hand the boat back before Christmas so have never actually had the holiday afloat. Having said that I bet it's magical. I would say crack the piggy bank open and book with Faircraft Loynes. There are quite a few pubs open on Christmas Day too, if I scratch my head I can probably think of some.

Hi Firstly Herbert Woods won't hire in December, sorry The only yard on the Broads (as far as I'm aware) that will hire over Christmas is Faircraft Loynes, be prepared to get the cheque book out! Having said that there is no better time to be out (in December that is) been doing it for 11 years Tales of icebergs and closed pubs are grossly exaggerated, you have pretty much the same as summer but a lot more peaceful! Go for it (IMHO of course)

Thanks Alan, must keep up. I thought it had been a bit quiet lately (I do miss her really)

Bet Grace would second that. Where is she by the way?

Sorry, straying off topic again. yes, the Chalk Hill Brewery (Coach and Horses) does very good grub, Mrs N and I often frequent there as we use a guest house close by. I wonder if Vaughan is referring to the Rosary pub, if so, its sadly closed, now flats

If access is an issue, the cut out stern could be useful

That was a good one Like Carol, I must make a point of popping in (also get a bit distracted with the pubs and following Mrs N around the shoe shops) I've actually been past the garden , there's a couple of decant pubs down there, the Black Horse and the Earlham Arms, both recommended. Good to hear that Compleat Angler, Sir Garnett and Lamb are doing well. I see in the EDP that the Lamb has had a big re-furb, must have a look. Its just tucked away just off the Haymarket but well worth seeking out. Slightly off topic, but the Fat Cats (x3) Kings Head, Plasterers, Plough, Wig and Pen, Ribs of Beef are all well worth a look among many other excellent pubs in Norwich. All easily walkable or short bus ride. And Geoff, we should call you Sherlock. You used your time well and followed the clues!

Carol I did start to think about Norwich too as there can't be too many places on the Broads with a steep hill or embankment which seems to be in the background. Rosary Road would certainly fit terrain and scenery wise although it is quite near the river, we were told a fair walk? It looks a bit twee to be in a very public area, if it had been on my manor some one would have nicked it by now!

Levels can be a bit higher in winter but can be very low too on occasions. Just to give an example - in December last year it was 5'6" in February 2017 it was 6'2" and June 2017 6'5" This was going by the board at the Bridge - the gauge in the pilots office is more accurate but the above gives a rough idea. Unfortunately clearance under PH Bridge is anything but an exact science! The Martham motor cruisers seem to manage most of the time though.

I suspect some of that information is a bit out of date, I wouldn't like to rely on 6 6 as the norm One option could be speak to Robin or Patrick Richardson at the Phoenix fleet Boatyard. They operate the pilot service and may be able to give advice about current typical clearances. I still think at 6 foot you will be in the right ball park and as Grendel says a narrower boat will be easier too. Do you intend to use the boat all year round?

On the boats or the bridge? I think the bridge is more typically 6 foot to 6 6. Others may correct me but the occasions it over 6 6 are getting less.

I think you would stand a better chance then most with 6 foot. The might be times when even that wouldn't get through but my guess would be you could get through more often than not. The vast majority of hire boats are 6 5, 6 6 plus which is why so few get through these days.

Not sure about one list but here's a couple to try http://www.nya.co.uk/13_used-boats.html https://www.watersidemarinesales.co.uk/boats-for-sale/?forsale http://www.norfolkboatsales.co.uk/used-boat-sales.asp You'll need to scroll down particularly on the NYA one!

.........it looks a bit like the sort of fancy thing you would see at Ludham/Womack........probably miles out